Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
(Systolic) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats / (Diastolic) measures the pressure in your arteries between beats
Normal: <120/80
Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89
Stage 1 hypertension: a systolic pressure ranging from 130 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging from 80 to 89 mm Hg.
Stage 2 hypertension: More-severe hypertension, stage 2 hypertension is a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.
Risk Factors of Hypertension Primary/Essential Hypertension:
Black males
Increased consumption of salt/alcohol
Smoking
K+ level and vitamin d level low
Family history
Advanced aged >65
Cholesterol high
Too much caffeine intake/too little potassium
Obesity
Risk Factors of Hypertension Secondary Hypertension:
Pregnancy
Cushing Syndrome
Chronic Renal Failure
Diabetes
Thyroid problems
Certain medications, such as birth control pills
Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
Symptoms
headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, retinal hemorrhages
Nursing Interventions for Hypertension
Assessment:
Headache, Blurry vision, Chest Pain, Nose bleeds, Angina, Dizzy, Peripheral pulse, BP, body mass index (overweight)
A blood pressure reading at least every two years starting at age 18. If you’re age 40 or
older, or you’re 18 to 39 with a high risk of high blood pressure, for a blood pressure reading every year
Educate: limiting sodium, alcohol and caffeine in diet, quit smoking, start an exercise program, importance of medication compliance DASH diet-dietary approaches to Stop Hypertension. Fruit veggies, low fat diary Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt
Getting regular physical activity
Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you’re overweight or obese
Labs: UA, CMP (can assess organ damage)
Non-pharmalogical techniques are implemented for about 1 to 3 months while monitoring the patient’s blood pressure, and then if not controlled, medications are started.
Medications: 1st line Thiazide Diuretics & Beta blockers ACE Inhibitors, ARBS and Calcium Channel Blockers
Complications:
The excessive pressure on your artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels as well as your organs. The higher your blood pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage.
| Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes. Trouble with memory or understanding. Dementia. Hypertensive crisis. A blood pressure measurement higher than 180/120 mm Hg is an emergency situation that requires urgent medical care. Heart attack or stroke. Aneurysm. Heart failure. Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys. |